Best TV Show Openings - The Lounge Discussion and Review on Literature, Arts, Culture

Fact: Pretty much all TV shows have an opening credits sequence.
Fact: In the last decade or two, many of these sequences have become miniature works of filmic art, even if the show itself is mediocre.
Fact: Not enough threads are started in the Lounge.

So, by whatever artistic measures you think the greatest, what are some of the best TV show openings (obscure or famous) you've ever seen? Links encouraged.

I'm going with Carnivale and

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02-10-2013 , 07:17 AM

Wrane

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Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12,086

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02-10-2013 , 07:25 AM

AngusThermopyle

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The Prisoner

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02-10-2013 , 07:52 AM

lastcardcharlie

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02-10-2013 , 08:18 AM

kioshk

Nixonian

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Six Foot Under was really good.

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02-10-2013 , 01:34 PM

Madjohnny

veteran

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,390

The Simpsons get my vote for the best tv show opening because the couch scene changes all the time.

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02-10-2013 , 01:36 PM

mrbaseball

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Madjohnny

The Simpsons get my vote for the best tv show opening because the couch scene changes all the time.

So does what Bart writes on the board and Lisas saxaphone riff.

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02-10-2013 , 03:28 PM

Dominic

Tripod

Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 74,268

I haven't seem any Prisoner episode in over 35 years, but I still see the big, white, bouncing ball in my dreams every now and then.

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02-10-2013 , 03:38 PM

Klavs

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,962

I really like the BBT opening

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02-10-2013 , 07:02 PM

#10

gotf

adept

Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 904

Shows that have the whole premise laid out for you in the opening credits.

Two Classics - Gilligans Island and The Odd Couple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8jhb5NnADM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af1h4ibpKJA

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02-10-2013 , 07:19 PM

#11

riverboatking

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simpsons is obv #1.

sopranos was pretty good and justified is cool as well (both for the song not so much the visuals).

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02-10-2013 , 07:31 PM

#12

DOOM@ALL_CAPS

old hand

Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,326

I always liked House, Dexter, and It's Always Sunny (b/c its ironic)

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02-10-2013 , 07:44 PM

#13

R_Webb18

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+1 to house and justified

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02-10-2013 , 08:14 PM

#14

GBP04

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andy griffith

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02-10-2013 , 08:18 PM

#15

JudgeHoldem

banned

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,197

Twin Peaks

If you aren't a fan of the show you'll probably find it lame but if you are a fan, it's gotta be a top 5, at least. That makes no sense but kinda fits the show don't it

Last edited by JudgeHoldem; 02-10-2013 at 08:24 PM.